Southeland sends
representative here
Feb. 26
U.S. Representative Steve
Southerland II announced
Tuesday that his Florida staff
will be hosting mobile office
hours in Taylor County on
Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Residents of Taylor
County and the surrounding
area are invited to join
Rep. Southerland's staff to
provide input on legislation,
ask questions or request
assistance with a federal
agency on issues including:
Social Security, Medicare,
Housing and Urban
Development, IRS, Veterans
Affairs and Immigration.
The representatives will
be available to meet local
residents at City Hall from 10
a.m. to noon.
For questions, please
contact Lori Hutto at (850)
561-3979 or Lori.Hutto@
mail.house.gov.

T DACV
HISTORY
MONTH

Celebration planned
this Saturday
The 2013 African-
American History Month
Celebration will be held
Saturday, Feb. 23, from 2-4
p.m. at Jerkins Community
Center.
The celebration will include
quizzes, games, prizes and
entertainment from local
performers.
Three renowned educators
will receive special honors
and an old-fashioned lunch
will be served.

Local mitigation
committee meets
Feb.28
There will be a meeting
of the Taylor County
Local Mitigation Strategy
Committee and Long-term
Recovery meeting on Feb. 28,
at 2 p.m., at the Taylor County
Emergency Management
Office, 591 East US Highway
27.
The meeting is open to the
public.

Leadership Council
reschedules meeting
for Friday, Feb. 22
The Taylor County
Leadership Council has
re-scheduled its Feb. 15
meeting to this Friday, Feb.
22.
All current and past
members, as well as anyone
interested in joining the
organization, are invited to
attend.
The meeting will begin
at 6:30 p.m. at Jerkins
Community Center.

When former Taylor
County High School
Principal Michael
Thompson was promoted
last month to the new
district position of director
of support services, one of
the areas of focus he was
tasked with was improving
student attendance.
Based on numbers from
the Florida Department of
F Education over the past
: decade, it appears he has
a large job ahead of him,
with Taylor County ranking
among the lowest in the
state in the percentage of
students attending class.
For the 2010-11 school
year--the most recent data
available--Taylor County
was 67th among Florida's
67 counties with 90.2
percent of students present
on average, based on the
total number of student days
and the number of days
students were present. (That
means, on any given day,
approximately 10 percent
of the student population is
absent.)
In contrast, Suwannee
County had the best mark
with 96.4 percent.
- "[Thompson's] first
project is to review our
attendance policies to see if
they are in line with Florida
statutes," Superintendent
Paul Dyal said. "He will

Despite a chilly start (32 degrees at 8:30 a.m.), the 2013 Fiddler Crab
Festival in Steinhatchee was deemed a great success by organizers.
Photographer Mike Farmer attempted to capture every event and there
are more than 1,000 photos for organizers to cull through to showcase
on the Steinhatchee, Fiddler Crab Festival Facebook page. Shown here
are vendors and strolling entertainers who helped make the event
memorable.

then get examples from
other districts with better
attendance records to
identify best practices."
Based on DOE figures,
Thompson will have many
other districts from which to
choose.
In the 11 years between
2000-01 and 2010-11,
Taylor County was in the
bottom four every single
year with the percentage
of students present ranging
from 89.4 percent to 92.17
percent. The county was in
last place six of those years.
"Attendance has
historically been a problem
here," Dyal said, pointing
out that when he was dean
at Taylor County High
School in the 1980s it was a
problem then as well.
"We're trying to change
the mindset for everyday
school attendance. It is very
important for students to go
to school every day. When
you have a job, you're
expected to attend work
every day. School is like a
child's first job.
"Some of our students,
especially in K-5, need the
the help of their parents to
get up and dressed and on
the school bus. The older
students can often get
themselves to school."
"- Please see page 3

Scaled down to six beds

Temple of God

moves forward

with assisted

living facility

The Temple of God Church is moving forward with
opening a six-bed assisted living facility at its church
building located at the comer of Sandra Street and U.S.
Highway, 98.
Gail French, wife of Pastor Robert French, spoke with
the Taco Times Monday to clarify the issue. (Last Friday's
Perry News-Herald reported that the Perry City Council
blocked a zoning change which would have allowed the
church to open a 12-bed facility.)
"That was not correct-we were not stopped from
opening our facility. We are moving forward," French said.
Under current Florida law, the group is allowed to open
a six-bed facility without changing its current zoning;
however, local land use guidelines necessitated a change
from residential (intensive) to commercial (intensive) to
allow a facility with more than six beds.
During its petition to have the zoning change, organizers
indicated they planned to open a 12-bed living facility.
"We didn't want the zoning change to begin with, but
the city said that is what we had to do in order to have the
additional number of beds," French said.
During public hearings on the proposed zoning, numerous
property owners from the nearby neighborhood challenged
the change and, ultimately, city council members followed
"* Please see page 3

ALS on track to hire in April

Work continues at
the future location of
AMTEC Less-Lethal
Systems, Inc., (ALS) and
company officials say they
are still on schedule to
begin hiring their first
employees by late April of
this year.
According to ALS Vice
President Matt Eckel, the
company began pouring
concrete last week for its
first building.
"The power poles are
going up," he added, noting
that Tri-County Electric Co-

op was doing the work at no
cost to the company.
"That was a great
help," he said.
Eckel said last month
that ALS has "an ambitious
schedule" to begin partial
operations by late April,
at which time they will
begin hiring a number of
employees.

That hiring will be
conducted through
Workforce, which offers
employment services
in Hamilton, Jefferson,
Lafayette, Madison,
Suwannee and Taylor
counties
ALS announced in
August that it was relocating
its headquarters and

manufacturing operations
from Bull Shoals, Ark., to
Taylor County.
The project is expected
to create 100 new jobs over
five years.
The ALS site is located
along Highway 19, north of
Perry across from Wayside
Park.
In addition to the

100 NEW JOBS
INC to be created over next five years

manufacturing facility,
the site will also include
a training center for use
by law enforcement and
corrections personnel.
AMTEC ALS
manufactures and
distributes less-lethal
products and services to
domestic and international
customers.
The company is also
a leading supplier of
tactical and operational
equipment to law
enforcement, corrections
and military users.

I

_L

i,'v < \P'i.l 0 iiu Sos! n U06 1 )I

Editorial

A-2 Taco Times February 20, 2013

Postal carrier union .-

responds to end of CR s

Saturday deliveries

Editor's Note: The following
letter was sent to the U.S.
Congress from Fredric V.
Rolando, president of the
National Association of Letter
Carriers (NALC) in response
the U.S. Postal Service's
announcement that it would
end Saturday mail delivery
beginning in August. It is
published here upon request of
a local mail carrier.
Dear Rep. Hollis,
Postmaster General
Pat Donahoe held a press
conference today to
announce his intention to
end Saturday delivery on
Aug. 5, 2013, even though
current law mandates six-
day delivery. Carriers will
be subjected to stand-up
talks today on the unilateral
decision.
The PMG is dubiously
claiming that a "loophole"
in the law will allow him to
do this. NALC denounces
Donahoe's arrogant decision
and is calling for him to step
down. We are exploring all
legal and political options to
block Donahoe's gambit.
If he were allowed to
get away with this brazen
attempt to override the law
and the will of Congress,
he would be free to go to
four-day or even three-day
delivery in the future.
Donahoe's plan to
end Saturday delivery
is a disastrous idea that
would have a profoundly

negative effect on the Postal
Service and on millions
of customers. It would
be particularly harmful
to small businesses, rural
communities, the elderly,
the disabled and others
who depend on Saturday
delivery for commerce and
communication.
Slowing mail service and
degrading our unmatchable
last-mile delivery network
are not the answers to the
Postal Service's financial
problems. If the postmaster
general is unwilling or
unable to develop a smart
growth strategy that serves
the nearly 50 percent of
business mailers that want
to keep six-day service,
and if he arrogantly thinks
he is above the law or has
the right to decide policy
matters that should be left to
Congress, it is time for him
to step down.
This maneuver by Mr.
Donahoe flouts the will
of Congress, as expressed
annually over the past
30 years in legislation
that mandates six-day
delivery, which remains
in effect today. In the last
Congress, which ended
in January, a bi-partisan
majority of representatives
co-sponsored legislation
backing the continuation of
Saturday delivery.
This misguided and
counterproductive decision

is in keeping with the
postmaster general's slash-
and-shrink approach to
dealing with the postal
service's financial
challenges. Instead of
offering a real business
plan to tap the full potential
of this essential American
institution, he is offering a
plan that will doom USPS to
failure.
The National Association
of Letter Carriers has tried
time and again to work with
postal service management
to pursue growth measures
and cost savings, but it has
become clear that the postal
service leadership's only
strategy is to gut the unique
postal network that provides
us with the world's most
affordable delivery service,
and to eliminate the services
on which Americans depend.
America's letter carriers
condemn this reckless plan in
the strongest terms. We call
for the immediate removal
of the postmaster general,
who has lost the confidence
of the men and women who
deliver for America every
day. And we urge Congress
to develop a real reform plan
that gives the Postal Service
the freedom to grow and
innovate in the digital era.
In Solidarity,
Fredric V. Rolando,
President, National
Association of Letter
Carriers

Vote for your favorite video

Last week was the 2013
Severe Weather Awareness
Week in Florida, but
preparing for severe weather
didn't end there.
The goal of the 2013
Severe Weather Awareness
Week campaign was to
promote preparedness for all
types of hazards to Florida's
citizens and communities.
The week also included a

video PSAcontest for middle
and high school students
and the Florida Division of
Emergency Management
(FDEM) is encouraging
the public to play a role
in this year's contest. For
the rest of the month of
February, Floridians will
have a chance to vote on
their favorite video PSA
from among the finalists

listed. To vote, visit the
Kids Get A Plan Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/
KidsGetAPlan.
The six finalist videos
are available under the
"video" section. Floridians
can vote for their favorite
by "liking" the video
on the page. Each of the
finalists will receive a prize
and winning submissions
from each category will be
professionally reproduced
and incorporated into
FDEM's 2013 media
campaign. Winning video
PSAs will be announced
during National Severe
Weather Awareness Week
on March 4-8.
To view the 2013 Severe
Weather Awareness Guide
or "Get A Plan!," visit www.
FloridaDisaster.org,

to te
N ".
1- 4.

Letters to the Editor
are accepted and published
each week in the Taco Times
as space is available. Send
letters to RO. Box 888, Perry,
FL 32348; or newsdesk@
perrynewspapers.com.
Please include a phone
number with your letter for our
records (your phone number
will not be published).

For many of us, weekdays are
long and usually filled with work
responsibilities .which extend
beyond the established 8-to-5
boundaries.
Monday are especially
unforgiving as you attempt to
make up for any fun you had
the previous weekend when the
washing machine, yard and pantry
were ignored.
And that's how it was on this
particular Monday when I had
clocked in and out at the office,
completed a handful of other
errands, walked with the dog and
was now poised to cook supper for
the night-as Well as for the next
night when the day would be even
longer.
Unmindful of my full slate
of responsibilities, the family
continued to ask me for this and
that-such as freezer bags in
which to store the fish, and then
for bleach to remove the fish smell
from the table where they cleaned
the slimy creatures. In retrospect,
I should applaud this request for
help because at least it shows some
semblance of caring, of trying
to complete a task correctly and
accomplish clean-up too.
But when I walked to make the
delivery, I noticed that the patio I
had cleaned the previous weekend
(when I did spend a couple of hours
on yard work) was now sprinkled
with fish .scales and littered with
ice chests. Two dogs ran circles
around me as I tried to remember
that a home is for living, and should
not be treated as a museum.
"My clean patio," I said with
lament.
"We'll clean up," I was assured.
"Besides, we have enough fish for a
couple of meals."
Great. I like fish and I appreciate
the help with the grocery bill, but
all I could envision was grease in
the kitchen. In that same vision, I
realized I would cook hush puppies
on command and I don't need to
.eat bread.
But I kept all that to myself.
We had a quick meal together and
when I went to police the exterior
area, I was pleasantly surprised
that about 85 percent of the chore
was complete. I wouldn't have
been surprised by a 50 percent
completion rate, so 85 percent was
a delight.
I started boiling lasagna noodles
for the next night's meal which
would gather the extended family
in the name of Valentine's Day. I
needed to address cards and gather
some flowers, but I still had a
couple of hours to do that.

As ground beef browned and tea
brewed, I began cleaning to the left
and right-dishes that needed to be
dried and put away, and other dirty
dishes that needed to relegated to
the dishwasher.
That's when the husband
sauntered in and asked, "Could
you come help me move the ping-
pong tabletop from the pool table?
So-and-so is coming over to shoot
some pool."
I know I looked at him like he was
a raging lunatic.
"You want me to help you move
the tabletop?" I repeated with a
question mark. Then I asked, "Why
can't he help you when he gets
here?"
"Well, I just wanted to clean it up
a bit," he said, "but if you're busy..."
Just for the record: I'm always
busy. But I didn't say it; I just
thought it.
Then he added, "Besides, he just
had surgery."
Now, normally that would prompt
some compassion and concern
from me, but I wasn't completely
in the dark about this surgery. In
fact, I knew details. So I enunciated
perfectly as I replied to the husband,
"On his ear."
He couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, you never know-some
freak move could pull the stitches
from his ear..."
"I'll take my chances," said I, as
I fried bacon and boiled eggs for a
spinach salad.
"His wife sure would be upset if
that happens," he said.
"He'll be fine," I assured him,
"and believe me, she'll understand."
So-and-so soon arrived, and I
relayed the story to him. As a
kindred spirit of the husband's, he
could appreciate both his genuine
concern and my lack thereof.
About 10 minutes later, the man
recovering from surgery returned to
the kitchen (where I'm still working,
mind you). He was grasping his ear.
"I think I pulled the stitches in
my ear while we were moving the
tabletop," he said.
I looked at him like I have spent
20 years looking at the boys in our
neighborhood. Even when they're
men, boys will be boys.
I handed So-and-So the phone.
"Call 911 with your good ear," I
said. Then I assured him, "I think
you will be fine...
"...unless I hit you."
He covered his ear and left
hurriedly. In the next room, I could
hear pool balls rolling and laughter
soaring.
And all I could think to say was,
"Men."

Florida School Districts'Attendance
Bottom Districts for Percent of Students Present*
DISTRICT
RANKING 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08

67th TAYLOR Union TAYLOR TAYLOR

66th Dixie Flagler Bradford Hamilton

65th Bradford TAYLOR Pinellas Dixie

64th Union Bradford Hamilton Pinellas

63th Hamilton Putnam Hendry Bradford'

Source: Florida Department of Education. Percent of students present based on the total number of
student days for a given school year compared to the number of days students were present. Rankings
are among Florida's 67 school districts.

Grades K-5 have highest

rate of absenteeism?

STUDENTS
Continued from page 1
He noted that the biggest
problem is with K-5
students, while it is better at
Taylor County High School,
where students who miss
more than five days are
required to take semester
exams.
"When we're looking at
ways to improve student
performance, attendance
is one of the areas we
need to improve on," Dyal
said.
"With the increase of the

rigor of the FCAT 2.0 and
the arrival of the PARCC
exam in 2014, it will be even
more important for students
to be in school every day.
It will be different [from
now] for those students who
are missing a lot of school.
That's why we wanted to
start addressing attendance
now and not wait until
2014."
When asked about taking
parents to court over truancy
issues, Dyal said the district
has in the past, but has not
done so yet this school year
because of the length of the

process they must follow,
based on Florida statutes,
before they can go to
court.
He said that in the
previous cases, the parents
ultimately withdrew their
students from the district
and began homeschooling
them to avoid punishment.
Dyal added that ensuring
local homeschool parents
are following the state
requirements is the
responsibility of the school
district and another of
Thompson's areas of focus
in his new position.

A-3 iaco limes February 20, 2013

'We are dealing with

fear of the unknown'

ASSISTED LIVING
Continued from page 1
their lead and denied the
petition.
"What we are dealing
with is simply fear of the
unknown," Mike Peacock,
the developer working with
church, said.
Many in the community
expressed their fears that
the residents would be
dealing with mental health
issues.
"We don't want that in our
neighborhood," a number of
individuals said during the
hearings.
In voting against
the zoning change,
Councilwoman Shirlie
Hampton told the Temple of

1225 S. Jefferson Street

God Church leaders, "Why the church stated whether or
don't you move forward not they planned to continue
with a six-bed facility?" moving ahead with opening
At that time, no one from the facility.

Food distribution set Friday

Food distribution will be held at Jerkins Community
Center this Friday, Feb. 22, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Living united
Perry Rotary Club President Mark Viola (right) presents a $250 donation
to United Way Campaign Associate Glenda Hamby for-this year's Taylor
County campaign. To date, United Way is nearing its goal of raising
$275,000 for this year's fund raising drive.

Bell to

speak at

library

Monday
Retired educator Wilburn
Bell will speak at the Taylor
County Public Library on
Monday, Feb. 25, about the
book he compiled, "Sworn
and Examined: Witnesses
to Suwannee Valley
Reconstruction Violence
in Florida's Third Judicial
Circuit."
The program is hosted
by the Friends of the Taylor
County Public Library and
will begin at 5:30 p.m.
The event is free and open
to the public.
The library is located at
403 N. Washington St.

FSA offices

combined
Taylor and Madison
County Farm Service
Agency (FSA) offices have
officially combined.
Local farmers and
ranchers in need of services
from FSA are invited to
visit the combined office
(located in Madison)
Monday through Friday, 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information,
please call (850)
973-2205.

Call me today to see how much you can save
with Allstate's good student discount.
(850) 584 5188

Local Extension agents, Master Gardeners and Taylor
County Elementary School administrators are partnering
together to ensure that local elementary students begin
developing lifelong habits of good nutrition through a
nutrition and gardening project.
"Students who participate in school garden projects
discover fresh food, make healthier food choices, and tend
to be more physically active," said Lori Wiggins, Family
and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent.
Weekly lessons are being taught by Wiggins, as well
as local Food Nutrition Program Assistant Corrie Willis
Extension and Master Gardeners, Carrel Robinson, Leslie
Secor, Carolyn Winningham, Martha Frostick, Karen
Falicon, Lee Breaux and Wynne Driscol. "Making healthy
food choices, food for growth, seeds we eat, and nutrients
for plants are just a few of the lessons students have been
learning during this school year," Wiggins said.
"Schools recognize that healthy, active and well-
nourished children are more likely to attend school. They
are also more likely to be prepared and motivated to
learn," Wiggins said. "While the primary responsibility of
schools is to foster academic achievement, schools have an
exceptional opportunity to guide children toward healthier
lifestyles."
For more information on how to volunteer for this or
other Extension programs, contact the local office at 838-
3508.

S C The wait is over!
iri scouts
of the florida Be on the look-out
par handle for Girl Scout cookies
For Girl Scout cookie the Florida Panhandle sold
lovers who have been 663,612 cookie packages.
waiting patiently for the
arrival of their favorite Girl
Scout cookie, the wait is j f
over. I CS .,/J

Girl Scout volunteers,
girls and staff from the
Florida Panhandle gathered
on Saturday, Feb. 16, at
8 a.m., in Tallahassee to
mark the arrival of Girl
Scout cookies in the Florida
panhandle.
The Girl Scout Cookie
Program is the largest girl-
led business in the world,
generating $790 million in
annual sales.
"There's more than just
delicious cookies in each
box," stated Raslean M.
Allen, Girl Scout Council
of the Florida Panhandle,
Inc. chief executive officer.
"Through the Girl Scout
Cookie Program, girls
learn skills essential to
success in life and develop
five financial literacy and
entrepreneurship skills,
such as goal setting,
decision-making, money
management, people skills
and business ethics."
The renowned Girl Scout
cookie line-up includes all
eight favorites: Trefoils,
Samoas, Thin Mints,
Tagalongs, Dulce de Leche,
Thank U Berry Munch,
Savannah Smiles and Do-
Si-Do.
Girls sell over 200
million cookie packages a
year to more than 50 million
customers.
In 2012, Girl Scouts of

)

Casafina Gorham
Lenox Mikasa
Nora Fleming
Noritake Oneida
Spode

The first 'Get

Fit With 4-H' class focused on healthy snacking for busy lifestyles

Students learn to eat healthy snacks 'on-the-go

During the first "Get Fit
with 4-H Class," youth
received a nutrition lesson
from Family and Consumer
Sciences Extension Agent,
Lori Wiggins, about the
importance of healthy
snacking.
The students made snack
boxes eating on-the-go..
The individual snack boxes
were filled with healthy
fruit and vegetable choices.
"The goal is to have the
students make up five of
these over the weekend
with their parents and put
one box in their backpack
each morning and they will
always have a healthy snack
no matter how busy the day

Mt. Gilead welcomes 3 speakers
Mt. Gilead Baptist Church is having a Winter Revival
Feb. 22-24 with services at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Sunday service will begin at 11 a.m.
Revival speakers will include the Rev. John Medlock on
Friday night, the Rev. Chris Peterson on Saturday night,
and the Rev. Hurstle Laxton on Sunday.
Special music will be provided by Rebekah Aman. The
congregation along with the pastor Gil Williams invites all
to attend.
The church reminds the community that on Saturday,
March 2, it will sponsor a skeet shoot beginning at 3 p.m.
at the church.

Obituaries
Wilbur Driggers
Wilbur Driggers, 74, of Perry, died Thursday, Feb. 14,
2013, at his residence.
Mr. Driggers was born on April 16, 1938, in Jasper to L.
C. and the former Eva (Morgan) Driggers. He was preceded
in death by six brothers, Mildan, J.W., Ranell, Lavon, W.J.
and Raymond Driggers.
Mr. Driggers was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church.
He worked for 36 years with the State of Florida Division
of Forestry in heavy equipment.
Survivors include: his wife of 54 years, Cossette
(Rogers) Driggers of Perry; two daughters, Karen Everett
and Debra Arnold, both of Perry; six brothers, Clarence
Driggers, Morris Driggers, Ray Driggers, all of Live Oak,
Mike Driggers, Jimmy Driggers and Russell Driggers, all
of Jasper; three sisters, Martha Ann Royals of Live Oak,
Claire Welch of Port. St. Joe and Evelee Parker, of Perry;
five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of
nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, at
Joe P. Burns Funeral Home with Pastor David Stephens
officiating. Interment followed in Pisgah Cemetery. The
family received friends from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17
at the funeral home.

There will be a bonfire afterwards and supper will be
provided, with games for children.
Everyone is invited to come and participate.
Services Thursday-Sunday
Evangelist Willie Lofton of Ocala will be the special
speaker for revival services at Union Street Church of God,
located at 701 W. Union St. Services Thursday and Friday,
Feb. 21-22, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Annual meeting slated

for Carlton Cemetery
The annual meeting for Carlton Cemetery will be held
Monday, Feb. 25, at Westside Baptist Church on Highway
98 West. The meeting begins at 4:45 p.m.
For additional information, please call 584-4349.

Watson 'appreciated' Saturday
Pastor Robert "Cricket" Watson will be honored on
Pastor Appreciation Day this Saturday, Feb. 23, at Antioch
Revival Center beginning at 11 a.m.
Griffin to speak for Women's Day
Pastor Rose Campbell and Little Bethel A.M.E. Church
invite everyone to attend Women's Day on Sunday, Feb.
24, at 3 p.m. with Ronnette Griffin as guest speaker. Music
will be provided by B.E. Hollis and Trinity House of Praise.

'Southern Testimony' to sing
ffwU

Friendship Chapel
Church of God will welcome
"Southern Testimony" for
services Sunday, Feb, 24, at
11 a.m. in Steinhatchee.

Cards of Thanks
TzSO n was a very loving and wonderful husband,
The family of Horace Tyson wishes father, brother and a tremendous friend to
to convey our deepest graditude and so many. He will be greatly missed.
appreciation to all of those that prayed JoAnn Tyson
for our family, brought food to our home, Lindsey and Timothy Hammonds
spoke words of comfort and encouragement Christopher and Chrissy Touchton
and to those who stopped by just to share a Travis Sadler
funny story. We are eternally grateful. He Elaine and Tim Stanton

LIVE IN CONCERT

Sunday, February 24, 2013, 4 p.m.

TAMrPA B 0AY CMHARTE

OF THE GOSPEL MUSIC WORKSHOP OF AMERICA

It's not just another conspiracy theory.

AGENDA 4

GRINDING AMERICA DOWN

Join us at Athena Baptist Church this Sunday,
February 24, @ 5:00 p.m. for a special screening of:
AGENDA: GRINDING AMERICA DOWN
This is a powerful expose of the attempts of the
communist, socialist, progressive attempt to take
control of America and implement their agenda to
dismantle patriotism, morality, and spirituality.
We welcome all of you who are concerned about the
direction of our country and want to know the truth!
For more info email: david@athenabaptist.com
Athena Baptist Church
10060 Josh Ezell Rd.
Athena, FI 32348
8 miles south of Perry on US 19 South

On Sunday, Feb. 24, worship is planned at 11 a.m. and
5 p.m. The Rev. Connie Mote invites everyone to attend.
Special music promised
Special music is promised nightly at Perry First Church
of God where revival services will be held Feb. 24-27, led
by Evangelist Corey Clark. Worship begins at 7 p.m.
On Sunday at 11 a.m., the Cavaliers will sing and that
evening at 6 p.m. music will be provided by Southern
Testimony. The community is invited.

Call 850-584-4511 or visit us
inside Walmart, Perry, FL

SLIACKSON HEW iT
.IMI2J34 -04. vwww.JocksonHewil.com

M fieti lefsp id $t50or recs ls! Ss peteiir6.L

Carlton Cemetery

Annual Meeting

Will be held at 4:45 p.m.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Westside Baptist Church
Located on Highway 98 West
For more information, call 584-4349

SE

THE MOST ADVANCED

HEART CENTER

IN THE REGION

PERIOD.

THERE IS A REASON WHY 8 OUT OF 10 HEART
SURGERIES IN THE REGION ARE PERFORMED AT
TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL. FROM DIAGNOSING
AND TREATING COMPLEX HEART ARRHYTHMIAS TO
REPLACING DEFECTIVE HEART VALVES WITHOUT
OPENING THE CHEST, NO OTHER CENTER PROVIDES
MORE TREATMENT OPTIONS. AND MORE OPTIONS
EQUAL BETTER OUTCOMES FOR OUR PATIENTS.

TRUST YOUR HEART TO THE MOST ADVANCED HEART
CENTER IN THE REGION.

TMHheart.org

,JL

Tallahassee Memorial
Heart & Vascular Center

Community

F w

A-6 Taco Times February 20, 2013

Jamie & Gena English--with

girls--named

Family for Ma
Taylor County's Care, Tallahassee Memo
Ambassador Family for Hospital (TMH) and NIC
the 2013 March for Dimes as well as Tallahas
March for Healthy Babies, Primary Care Associa
Jamie and Gena English will be chairing this yea
with daughters Addison campaign.
and Allie, helped kick Both Addison and A
off the 2013 campaign were both born early at
season Thursday, Jan. 30, and 34 weeks gestati
at the IMAX Theatre in respectively.
Tallahassee. Gena English shared
Several groups from family's story with th
the Big Bend area who attending the kick-off ev
participated in the 2012 "There wasn't a dry eye
campaign, including Publix, the place, including mir
which holds the "trophy" she said.
for raising the most money, A slideshow presentat
also participated in the kick- featured photos of Addi:
off. and Allie, from their days
CEOs from major groups the NICU, as well as pho
like North Florida Women's of them growing up. TI

Ambassador

?rch of Dimes

rial
cU,
see
tes,
ar's

llie
35
on,

her
ose
ent
e in
ne,"

ion
son
s in
itos
hey

ended the ceremony by
having all NICU graduates
stand and the auditorium
sang "Happy Birthday" to
them.
English raised more than
$1,000 during last year's
fund-raising drive.
"I would like to thank
the Taylor County
community for supporting
this campaign. Our family
is featured on the fliers
for this year's March for
Babies promotion. We need
more support for the March
of Dimes from our area.
Local statistics show that
one in nine babies is born
prematurely and that needs
to change," English said.

Gena has also been named
chair for the Taylor County
area due to her on-going
interest and support for the
March of Dimes.
"I would like to thank last
year's sponsors as well as
TMH NICU, North Florida
Women's Care and their
pediatric office Tallahassee
Primary Care Associates,"
she said.
The March for Babies
walk will be held Saturday,
April 27, at Tom Brown Park
in Tallahassee, starting at 10
a.m. (registration begins at 9
a.m.). For more information
about the March of Dimes,
please contact the Big Bend
division at (850) 422-3152.

Jamie and Gena English, along with daughters Addison, 4, and Allie, 2, Addison and Allie English are featured on promotional fliers for this year's
have been named Taylor County's Ambassador Family for 2013. March of Dimes "March for Babies" campaign.

Addison andAllie English
Addison 35 weeks, 5 lbs/.'3 oz Allie 32 wteetk., 4 lbs/10 oz
Addison is now 4 years old and Allie is now 2 years old.

iw

I I

Sports

- -

A-7 Taco Times February 20, 2013

Defeats John Paul II

Baseball team

improves to 2-0

The Taylor County High
baseball team ran its record
to 2-0 Thursday following a
5-1 victory over John Paul
II at Perry's Pace Field.
Dylan Harty started on
the mound for the Bulldogs
and struck out 10 while
giving up only one hit in
five innings of work.
Daniel Wentworth led
TCHS at the plate with a

3-for-3 day including two
doubles and 3 RBIs. Other
top hitters included John
Collins and Ladarin Smiley,
each scoring a run while
batting 1-2 at the plate.
The Bulldogs were
slated to face Thomasville
(Ga.) Tuesday before
participating in the Valdosta
High Tournament beginning
Thursday.

Turkey Federation to hold

banquet at Senior Center

The local chapter (Yellow
Pine Drummers) of the
National Wild Turkey
Federation will hold its
annual hunting heritage
banquet on Saturday, Feb.
,23, at the Taylor County
Senior Center on West Ash

Street.
Doors will open at 5 p.m.
with dinner being served at
6:30 p.m.
For more information,
contact Doug Bowden at
584-9185 or email him at
dugbowden@yahoo .com.

The Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) wants
to know what anglers think
about freshwater bass
regulations.
FWC freshwater fisheries
biologists are looking for
angler input during a series
of open houses to be held
around the state.
"This is an opportunity
for anglers to provide their
thoughts and ideas about
Florida largemouth bass
regulations. Should they
stay the same? Should
changes be made? You
tell us," said Allen Martin,
FWC regional freshwater
fisheries biologist.
Open houses will be
available for the public to
come in, talk to biologists
and let FWC staff know

what they think, he
added.
"Anglers are welcome to
come to the open houses at
any point. There's no set
schedule. You can come in
for 10 minutes or stay for an
hour," Martin said.
"The open house format
is casual and for angler
input about bass regulations
only. We want people to
let us know what they
think."
The scheduled open
houses will be from 5-8
p.m. unless otherwise
noted.
One event will be held
March 18 (4-7 p.m.) in
Gainesville at Gary's Tackle
Box, located at 5721 NW
13th St. Another will be
held in Tallahassee in early
April.

Like new double wide trailer for
rent in beautiful country setting. 3
bedrooms, 2 bath, open LR/DR,
fully equipped kitchen with
refrigerator, stove and microwave.
Washer & dryer furnished. Fenced
yard for small dog, nice back
porch. Located on Golf Course
Rd., on a working farm. $750
monthly, includes water and yard
care. First & last month up front,
credit references required.
Serious inquiries, call (850)578-
2310 to view.
02/08-03/08

STEINHATCHEE
PLACE RESORT
Furnished 1 and 2 bedroom
apartments for rent $600 to $800.
Included with rent is full cable t.v.,
Internet, hot tub, one block, one
block to river and new boat
landing. Call 352-498-7740 if no
answer 813-677-9640.
SPR,tfn

RIVERFRONT LOT FOR SALE
Want to own this part of '"The
Suwannee River?"
Priced to Sell!!!!
Located in Lafayette County,
Mayo, Florida.
.75 acres for only $36,500!!!
Now Accepting Offers
Call Cynthia for more information
(850) 223-7152
or Visit our website: bcfcu.coop
BCFCU,tfn

For sale. Located at Spring
Warrior Fish Camp. Mobile home
and workshop on nice lot in Spring
Warrior, Fl. Boat ramp and state
game land very close by. $45,000.
For more information, call (850)
584-2791.02/06-03/01

Dairy Queen/ Arby's/Subway/
Wendy's and Fast Track Food
Stores of
Monticello/Madison/Greenville/
Jasper & Lake Park Georgia.
Now Hiring all Positions. Job
Fair/Open House, Friday, Feb. 22,
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dairy
Queen location: 6390 S. SR 53 in
Madison, Florida. North Florida
Workforce will have their mobile
unit in the parking lot taking
applications for:
General Managers, Assistant
Managers, shift leaders and crew
members for all shifts. Applicants
must be able to work different
shifts from opening to closing,
have superior customer service
skills, and possess an out-going
personality. Benefits with
competitive salary available.
02/13-02/22

SA~ VE $$$ U AOCB i THE BEST DEALS
NO COMMISSION FEES THE BEST DEALS
COME FROM
CLEAR WARRANTY DEEDS CITIZENS STATE BANK BANKSi EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
MEMBER FDIC

A-9 Taco Times February 20, 2013

m -EM -IIEL

Purchasing Agent
AMTEC Less-Lethal Systems, Inc.
(ALS) has an open position for a
Purchasing Agent. The successful
candidate will join our operation
currently being constructed at
6000 N. US 19, Perry, FL. The
position will be responsible for
purchasing and negotiating
materials, equipment and supplies
from vendors. Typical duties
include; evaluating and selecting
vendors that meet ALS' criteria,
maintaining an approved supplier
list, issuing purchase orders using
ERP software, maintaining
purchasing records, and
interfacing with operations
personnel ensuring material and
components are purchased to
support the plant manufacturing
schedule. A minimum of five years'
experience in a manufacturing
purchasing environment is
required along with a proven ability
to communicate well both verbally
and in writing with peers and
management. If interested, send
your resume to
careers@lesslethal.com or to
AMTEC Less-Lethal Systems,
Inc., PO Box 931, Perry, FL 32348
no later than March 1, 2013.
ALS, 02/22-02/27

First Baptist Church of Cross City
Florida is seeking custodial
services to provide cleaning. All
applicants must be licensed and
insured and provide references.
Please call the church office (352)
498-5107 for further information.
FBC, 02/20-03/01

Would you like to work in
healthcare? Become a CNA!
Quest Training offers a RN taught,
40 hour prep class. High state test
pass rates. No GED or diploma
required if age 18. Day and
evening classes.
Call (386) 362-1065.
02/01-03/01

FLOORING
Carpet, Vinyl and Repairs. Will
beat all prices. Call 850-838-9050.
If no answer please a leave
message.
BR,tfn

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, THIRD
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
IN AND FOR TAYLOR COUNTY,
FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
in Re: The Estate of:
GRACE FLORENCE WHITAKER,
Case No. 11-255CP
Deceased.
_____/
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS
OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE
ABOVE ESTATE:
You are hereby notified that an
Order of Administration has been
entered In the Estate of GRACE
FLORENCE WHITAKER, deceased,
File Number 11-255-CP, by the
Circuit Court for Taylor County,
Florida, Probate Division, the
address of which is Post Office
Box 620, Perry, Florida 32348; that
the decedent's date of death
was November 16, 2010; and
that the total value of the estate
is less than $75,000.00.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE
NOTIFIED THAT:
All creditors of the estate of the
decedent and persons having
claims or demands against the
estate of the decedent must file
their claims with this Court with a
copy to Gerald Rosenberg,
Personal Representative, 6500
Rosenberg Lane, Greenville, FL
32331 WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS
SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 733 OF THE
FLORIDA PROBATE CODE.
ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT
SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER
BARRED.
-NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME
PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY
CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR
MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S
DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this
notice Is: February 13, 2013.
GERALD ROSENBERG,
Personal Representative
6500 Rosenberg Lane
Greenville, FL 32331

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX
DEED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that TC
10U, LLC the holder of the
following certificate has filed said
certificate for a tax deed to be
issued thereon. The
certificate number, year of
issuance, description of the
property and the names in which
the property was assessed are as
follows:
Certificate Number 592 Year of
Issuance 2010
Description of Property:
Parcel Number R05243-000
Lot 3, Block A of the N.L. Smith
subdivision
Less:
Commence at the Southwest
corner of Lot 3, Block A of the N.L
Smith Subdivision as
the Point of Beginning; thence
run North 140 feet; thence run
East along Lot Line 57.5
feet, thence run South 13D East

131.46 feet, thence run West
along lot line 91.5 feet to
a Point of Beginning, Recorded in
official records 648, page 201.
Contains .29 Acres,
more or less. (Incorrect Deed
recorded In official records 648,
page 203-205, book
672, page 553 and book 690,
page 75.)
Name In which assessed
Stonecrest Financial
Said property being in the
County of Taylor, State of Florida.
Unless such certificate shall be
redeemed according to law, the
property described shall be sold
to the highest bidder at the
courthouse door on the 18th day
of March, 2013 at 11:00 o'clock
a.m.
Dated this 11th day of February,
2013
Signature:_
Annie Mae Murphy
Clerk of Circuit Court
Taylor County, Florida

INVITATION TO BID
The Taylor County Board of
County Commissioners is
soliciting sealed proposals for
construction of the Economic
Development Transportation
Project Providence Road.
Qualified firms or Individuals
desiring to provide the required
products or services must submit
five (5) packages In a sealed
envelope or similar package
marked "Sealed Proposal for
Economic Development
Transportation Project
Providence Road" to the Clerk of
Court, 1st Floor Courthouse, 108
North Jefferson Street, Suite 102,
Perry, Florida 32347 or P.O. Box
620, Perry, Florida 32348, to arrive
no later than 4:00 P.M., local
time, on March 19, 2013. All
Proposals MUST have the
respondent's name and mailing
address clearly shown on the
outside of the envelope or
package when submitted.
Proposals will be opened and
respondents announced at 6:15
P.M. local time, or as soon
thereafter as practical, on March
19, 2013, in the Taylor County
Administrative Complex, 201 East
Green Street, Perry, Florida 32347.
RFP Information MUST be
obtained from the Clerk of Court,
1st. Floor Courthouse, 108 North
Jefferson Street, Suite 102, Perry,
Florida 32347, (850) 838-3506, for
a $100.00 non-refundable fee.
RFP Information may be
reviewed on-line at
www.taylorcountygov.com/bids
/ I n d e x h t m
om/bids/Index.htm> .
A mandatory Pre-Bid
Conference will be held at 10:00
a.m. on Wednesday, February
27, 2013, at the Administrative
Complex located at 201 East
Green Street, Perry, Florida 32347.
The County reserves the right, In

Its sole and absolute discretion,
to reject any or all Proposals, to
cancel or withdraw this
solicitation at any time and
waive any irregularities in the RFP
process, The County reserves the
right to award any contract to
the respondent which it deems
to offer the best overall service;
therefore, the County Is not
bound to award any contracts)
based on the lowest quoted
price. The County, In its sole and
absolute discretion, also reserves
the right to waive any minor
defects In the process and to
accept the proposal deemed to
be in the County's best interest.
No faxed Proposals will be
accepted.

NOTICE
Notice is hereby given pursuant
to Section 2.13 of the City
Charter of the City of Perry,
Florida, that Ordinance No, 921
and Ordinance No. 922 was
DENIED by the City Council in
regular meeting session on
February 12, 2013.
ORDINANCE NO. 921
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PERRY, FLORIDA RELATING TO AN
AMENDMENT OF TEN OR LESS
ACRES OF LAND TO THE FUTURE
LAND USE PLAN MAP OF THE CITY
OF PERRY COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN, PURSUANT TO AN
APPLICATION, LUPMA 12-09, BY
THE PROPERTY OWNER OF SAID
ACREAGE, UNDER THE
AMENDMENT PROCEDURES
ESTABLISHED IN SECTIONS
163.3161 THROUGH 163.3248,
FLORIDA STATUTES, AS AMENDED;
PROVIDING FOR A CHANGE IN
LAND USE CLASSIFICATION FROM
RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY
(LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 8
DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE) TO
COMMERCIAL OF CERTAIN
LANDS WITHIN THE CORPORATE
LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PERRY,
FLORIDA; PROVIDING
SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ORDINANCE NO. 922
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PERRY, FLORIDA RELATING TO THE
REZONING OF LESS THAN TEN
CONTIGUOUS ACRES OF LAND,
PURSUANT TO AN APPLICATION Z
12-07, BY THE PROPERTY OWNER
OF SAID ACREAGE; AMENDING
THE OFFICIAL ZONING ATLAS OF
THE CITY OF PERRY LAND
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS;
PROVIDING FOR REZONING
FROM RESIDENTIAL SINGLE
FAMILY-2 (RSF-2) TO
COMMERCIAL, INTENSIVE (Cl) OF
CERTAIN LANDS WITHIN THE
CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY
OF PERRY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING
SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Robert A. Brown, Jr.
City Manager
Daryll Gunter
Mayor

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
The Board of County
Commissioners of Taylor County Is
requesting qualifications for an
Attorney at Law to represent the
Taylor County Planning
Board.The attorney must be a
member of good standing with
the Florida Bar, and be familiar
with the Taylor County
Comprehensive Plan and the
Taylor County Land
Development Regulations.The
retainer and hourly rate will be
negotiated. Attorneys Interested
are requested to present their
written Interest and qualifications
to the County Administrator, Mr.
Jack Brown by March 11, 2013, at
5:00 p.m. Mr. Brown's address Is
County Offices, 201 East Green
Street, Perry, Florida 32347. No
faxes will be accepted. After the
qualifications are reviewed, the
Board of County Commissioners
will decide who to Interview at
their meeting. Any questions
should be directed to the Board's
attorney, Conrad C. Bishop, Jr.,
Post Office Box 167, Perry, Florida
32348 (850) 584-6113.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PURSUANT TO SECTION 10-65,
TAYLOR COUNTY CODE OF
ORDINANCES
(ORDINANCE NO. 2001-12)
Notice Is hereby given that the
Taylor County Board of County
Commissioners will hold a public
hearing on Monday, March 4,
2013 at 6:15 p.m., or as soon
thereafter as possible, in the
Taylor County Administrative
Complex, 201 East Green Street,
Perry, Florida 32347, to hear an
application for SPECIAL EVENTS
PERMIT (MUD-BOG) to be held on
March 15, March 16 and March
17, 2013, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m. The event will be held at the
Iron Horse Mud Ranch located at
8999 S. US 19,
The application is available to
the public and may be
inspected at the Taylor County
Planning Department, located at
the Administrative Complex (Old
Post Office), 201 E. Green Street,
Perry, Florida 32347.
Notice is further given, pursuant
to Florida Statutes 286.0105, that
any persons deciding to appeal
any matter considered at this
hearing will need a record of the
hearing and may need to ensure
that a verbatim record of the
proceedings Is made, which
record Includes the testimony
and evidence upon which the
appeal is to be based.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, Taylor
County, Florida.

seeks entries
The Friends of the Taylor
County Public Library's
seventh annual Short Story
Contest is accepting entries
from local authors.
The contest includes
three age categories: youth
(grades 5 and below),
student (grades 6-12) and
adult.
The first place story in
each category will win
$100 and second place will
receive $50.
The deadline for entries
is Friday, May 17, and the
winners will be announced
Friday, June 14.
The contest is, open to
all Taylor County Public
Library cardholders. Stories
must be unpublished and
under 2,500 words.
A complete list of rules is
available at the library.